Hernia occurs when an organ or tissue bulges through and pushes against weak muscles in your body. Hernias are common in both men and women, but most reported cases of hernia are in men.
This might bring the question of whether hernias occur in women. In this article, we will discuss whether women can get hernias and the type of hernia that is most common in women.
Hernia in Women
Several factors contribute to hernia in females, like chronic cough and having a weak abdomen due to pregnancy. Women are more prone to femoral hernia than any other type of hernia.
The majority of the women affected by hernia are between the ages of 40 and 60. This is when their muscles become weak and lose their strength. This makes it easier for the surrounding organs to push through them and cause hernias.
Is Hernia a common Disease?
Yes, hernias are common in both men and women. In fact, hernias are one of the most commonly encountered surgical complaints. Most hernias are not serious and can be treated by a Hernia Surgeon.
However, there are some types of hernias that can become fatal to the patients. Not treating hernias for a longer period can also cause strangulation and become a serious issue.
What are the Causes of Hernia in Women?
There are many factors that contribute to hernia in females. Some of them are listed below.
- Weak abdominal muscles due to multiple pregnancies
- Previous abdominal or pelvic surgeries
- Chronic obesity
- Chronic cough
- Chronic constipation
- Weight lifting and doing strenuous activities
What are the symptoms of Hernia in Women?
Some symptoms women may experience during hernia are
- Dragging pain at the site of the hernia,
- Swelling in the anterior abdominal wall that becomes enlarged when you strain or lift heavy objects,
- Nausea & vomiting (in case of obstruction or strangulation), and
- Slight discomfort that increases when doing strenuous activities.
If you want to know how to find out if you have a Hernia, there are common treatment methods followed by professionals such as the three-finger test. So it is always advised to consult a Hernia Specialist for these procedures.
What are the Types of Hernias?
There are many other types of hernia based on the position of the hernial sac. Some prominent ones are listed below.
1. Inguinal hernias
An inguinal hernia occurs when the tissue or organs in the abdomen push through or bulge against a weak muscle in the abdomen. The hernia can be a direct, indirect, or pantaloon hernia.
2. Umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia occurs when a part of the intestine bulges through a weak muscle near the navel (bellybutton).
3. Incisional hernia
An incisional hernia occurs when a tissue or organ pushes through or bulges through the weak muscles near the site of a previous surgery. There are differnet kind of Incisions used during a surgery (ex.Infraumbilical Incision)
4. Femoral hernia
A femoral hernia occurs when a loop of the intestine protrudes through a weak abdominal wall, this hernia is located in the lower abdomen near the thigh.
5. Lumbar hernia
Lumbar hernia occurs when the intraperitoneal and extraperitoneal contents bulge through a weak muscle in the posterolateral abdominal wall,
6. Epigastric hernia
An epigastric hernia occurs in the epigastric region of the abdominal wall. The hernia occurs in the midline between your belly button and sternum (breastbone).
There are other types of Hernias as well (ex. Narath’s Hernia , Sibson hernia , MAYDL’S HERNIA )
Which Doctor to consult for Hernia?
When it comes to hernia treatment, it is best to consult a general surgeon who specializes in treating hernia. You can consult a laparoscopic surgeon who is an expert and experienced in conducting laparoscopic surgeries.
Conclusion
Hernias is a common disease, starting from Physiological Umbilical Hernia , sublay-mesh-repair-umbilical-hernia , Interstitial Hernia to Phantom Hernia that can cause discomfort and pain if left untreated for a long time
Hernias are common and can affect both men and women. Women don’t need to worry too much if they suspect they have a hernia. As long as they visit a doctor during the early stages and get treated accordingly, they can avoid further increasing the symptoms and other complications.
FAQs
The majority of the women affected by hernia are between the ages of 40 and 60. This is when their muscles become weak and lose their strength. This makes it easier for the surrounding organs to push through them and cause hernias.
For women, a hernia usually appears in their groin or abdomen when an organ pushes through their weak abdominal wall. The hernia may be symptomatic or asymptomatic and appears like a bulge that is more evident when doing physical activity or straining too much.
Hernias are classified based on their location in the body. Here are some of the types of hernias and where they appear in the human body.
- Inguinal hernia (inner groin)
- Incisional hernia (resulting from incisions or surgical cuts)
- Femoral hernia (outer groin)
- Umbilical hernia (belly button)
- Hiatal hernia (upper stomach
